Bhutan Cultural Tour with Bhumtang Trek -15 Days

This is a hilarious blend of Tour and Trek which caters us various cultural tours accompanied by some adventurous treks to the varied topography of Bhutan. Our trip starts and ends in Paro. The day begins with the sightseeing in Ta Dzong, the national museum and Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Paro. Then we go for a hike to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery. We visit different cities like Thimphu, Punakha, Bhumtang, Ngang Lhakhang,Ugyen Choling and Jakar that are unique in their own way. The trip provides us an opportunity to explore the rich culture and historic landmarks of Bhutan. The drives are akin to cruising along the bed of roses, but the walks could be arduous at times. Yet, the fresh air and panoramic view compensate the toils along the trails which lead you through the rhododendron forests around the foothills of the Himalayas, lush green valleys and crystal clear lakes. True indeed, the Bhutan Cultural Tour with Bhumtang Trek is worth giving a try!

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Day 02: Trip preparation and Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Paro (2200m/1 hr)

Day 04: Hike from Paro to Tiger Nest Monastery (3120m/1 hr) and drive from Paro to Thimphu (2350m/1hr)

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks, which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Bhutan Government owned, ‘Druk Air’, in the only operational airlines flying in and out of Bhutan. Hence, the ‘Druk Air’ tickets will have to be booked at least 2-3 months in advance as they get sold out pretty early.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Once you land at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu and accomplish your entry/visa formalities, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel after which we will have a quick pre-trip meeting and discuss the itineraries. You can then take your time to relax, unpack and spend the time as you wish. In the evening, stroll around the nearby places and get the feel of this energetic city. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Trip preparation and Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

After breakfast, hop in to our transport vehicle and head off for a guided tour to the renowned historical and cultural landmarks of Kathmandu. You will be visiting the sites like - Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square and the Boudhanath (the Maha Stupa). All these sites have been listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. After the entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Paro (2200m/1 hr)

Upon your arrival at the international airport of Paro, you will be greeted by our guide. After the completion of entry formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. Today, after lunch we visit the National Museum of Bhutan, Ta Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple. If the day is clear, we can enjoy the wonderful view of Mt. Jumolhari, Bhutan’s second highest mountain. Overnight at hotel in Paro; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Once you are done with the breakfast, we walk to the very famous Taktsang monastery, situated at a height of 3120m. It is believed that the Spiritual Guru, Rinpoche used to come for meditation in the cave where Taktsang monastery now stands. This monastery is perched at 900 meters above the Paro valley which appears to be pretty steep. This could be a vantage point to get a breathtaking view of the Paro Valley. We will be exploring the place and taking photos. After that we hike down to the valley and drive to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05: Sightseeing in Thimphu (2350m)

Today, we will be cruising and strolling around the fascinating Thimphu valley. Let’s commence our day by visiting the Radio Tower and get mesmerized by the stunning view of Thimphu Valley and Thimphu Dzong. We will now proceed to the Zoo and then to the National Library, which archives the ancient manuscripts. The School of Arts and Crafts will probably be our last landmark visit before lunch. We take a lunch break and then move on to explore the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and the traditional Paper Factory. In the evening, we can stroll around Thimphu and enjoy its dusking view interacting with the local people and observing their life patterns. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 06: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1310m/3hrs)

Early morning after breakfast we will be heading for a drive to Punakha. On a clear day, we can behold a spectacular view of the Himalayas. Our drive will take us downhill through the forests of Rhododendron, fir and hemlock. After traversing through rice field and then along the bank of Punakha river, we finally arrive at Punakha and halt for lunch. Today’s trip winds up after our visit to the Punakha Dzong. Overnight at hotel in Punakha; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After an early morning breakfast, we drive to Bhumtang, the cultural heartland of the country. The route is a long and spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La pass, and at certain times of a year, it's possible to see yaks. We stop in Trongsa for lunch. After lunch we visit the Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. We then proceed to Bhumtang with lush valleys and hilly forests alongside. On the way, we stop to catch a glimpse of Yathra (textile weaving) Factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bhumtang, and we can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Check in to hotel on arrival. Overnight at hotel in Bhumtang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 08: Trek from Bhumtang to Ngang Lhakhang (2850m/5-6hrs)

The route follows the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for trout. Stop for lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang. From here the trek enters the Ngang Yul (Land of the Swan) at the centre of which lies the Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple). In by-gone days, the valley was populated by swans, and hence the nomenclature, Ngang Yul was given to the valley. We will set up a camp at an altitude of 9500 feet. Overnight at camp in Ngang Lhakhang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The trek starts with a gradual climb to Phephe La Pass at an altitude of 3353m/11,000 ft, the highest point of the trek route. The trail passes through beautiful forested areas where many stops can be made to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Along the way, the Ugyen Choling Palace can be seen. Camp at an altitude of 9300 feet. Overnight at camp in Ugyen Choling; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The trail follows the Tang Chu, another trout-filled river. On the bank of the river is the Tang Rinpoche's Lhakhang. The trek will pass the Mebar Tsho (Flaming Lake). From Pangshing, the group will be picked up by transport and driven to Jakar. Overnight at hotel in Bhumtang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11: Sightseeing in Bhumtang (2700m)

Today in Bhumtang, we will be visiting the oldest monastery in Bhutan-Jambay Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley and Kurjey Lhakhang which is regarded as a sacred place because it is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the spiritual master left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. We will then explore Tamching monastery. In the evening, we take a walk around the Bhumtang town. Overnight at hotel in Bhumtang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Drive from Bhumtang to Wangdue (1350m/4hrs)

We begin our day with a short stroll to the Bhumtang market and then drive to Wangdue. Along the way we visit a typical Bhutanese town of Wangdue with its dramatic Dzong perched on a ridge at the bend of a river. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Overnight at hotel in Wangdue; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today we drive back to Paro through Dochula Pass. We will pay a visit to Chimi Lhakhang temple and receive blessing from the Lama. We stop for lunch at Dochu La Pass. After lunch we head on to Druk Wangyal Monastery which elaborates paintings revealing the link between the present monarchy and their visionary works. Upon the arrival at Paro, we check in to our hotel and relax. In the evening, we can move about to explore Paro Town. Overnight at hotel in Paro; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14: Flight from Paro to Kathmandu (1400m/1hr)

We will have breakfast and then proceed to check in for your flight. We bid a fond farewell to Bhutan and fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel. Take your time to relax and refresh yourself by indulging in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

Day 15: Final departure

Unless you would want to extend your trip and try out some of our other adventurous packages like Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc., this will be your last day in Nepal. A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the airport for the final departure to your homeland. Have a safe flight back home. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks, which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Bhutan Government owned, ‘Druk Air’, in the only operational airlines flying in and out of Bhutan. Hence, the ‘Druk Air’ tickets will have to be booked at least 2-3 months in advance as they get sold out pretty early.

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

While in Bhutan, you will be accommodated in 3-4 Star lodges and hotels in Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha etc as per your requirement.

Meals

We never compromise with the quality of food, as we are concerned about the health of our clients as well as staff members. Generally, we opt for the locally available fresh and nutritious community food, viz. dried meat cooked with hot chilies, Ema Datshi (vegetarian dish made out of cheese and chili) etc, so that you have the opportunity to taste something new and also get a real sense of the native culture and life patterns. Besides, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc. are also available at the restaurants for your retreat.

Best Months

The month of January-May & September-December are considered to be best months for Bhutan Cultural Tour with Bhumtang Trek.

Our Guides

Guides play the most significant role in trekking. Marron Treks has literate, experienced and helpful trekking guides who are multilingual speakers and are very well versed to the culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to Bhutan. Hence your trek becomes informative as well as entertaining.

Access to enter Bhutan

Bhutan is well connected to the outside world through Druk Air (Royal Bhutanese Airlines), the national carrier which is the only airline operating flights in and out of the kingdom. The country's only airport is situated at Paro and two flights a week from Kathmandu (Nepal).

Travel Insurance

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical as well as evacuation costs. Having a travel insurance with you makes you trip safe and hassle free.

Bhutan Visa Requirement

Unlike other countries, Bhutanese Visa can be obtained only after entering the country itself as it does not have any embassy abroad. Hence, after Marron Treks receives your booking confirmation, you need to send us the details below along with the copies of your valid passport and recent PP sized photograph. We will then initiate your visa processing. It takes about 2 weeks for the visa to be granted. The visa application has to be submitted to the Department of Tourism in Bhutan and then finally it is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But we do not want you to get into the rigmaroles of doing this all by yourself. All you need to do is send us the details below (along with the copies of passport and recent pp sized photograph) and we will take care of the rest in coordination with our agent in Bhutan. You will get the visa upon your arrival at the airport in Bhutan. You are entitled to pay the nominal visa fee of US $20. Visa extension fee for a period not exceeding six months is NU510 (US $ 8.24). Since the tourist visas are issued for the full period of stay in Bhutan, it is very unlikely that you would need a visa extension. Please note that the above conditions apply to all the nationalities except the Indians. The Indian citizens do not require a visa or a passport, but they need to provide some form of identification such as a copy of driving license, citizenship etc. along with five copies of PP sized photographs. Generally, they are issued a permit of 14 days which can be extended as necessary.

Full Name: ……………………………………………………

Permanent Address: ………………………………………………

Place of Birth: ………………………………………………………

Date of Birth: ………………………………………………………

Nationality:…………………………………………………………

Nature of Passport: Diplomatic/Official/Ordinary/UN Laisser-Passer.

Passport Number: …………………………………………………

Date of Issue: …………………………………………………………

Place of Issue: ………………………………………………………

Date of Expiry:………………………………………………………

Occupation/Profession

Period for which visa is required: …………………………………

Point of Entry/Exit into Bhutan: Entry: ………………Exit: ………

Purpose of visiting Bhutan: …………………………………………

Is this first visit to Bhutan? YES /NO. If not, give details of your earlier visit.

Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).

Tip for tour guides, driver, hotel lobby staff and potters (Tipping is expected but not mandatory).

Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.

Other expenses not mentioned in the “Cost Includes” section above.

Since we are not trekking to soaring altitudes, we do not actually have to travel with a cartload of gears. Traveling light is the best way to travel, but yes we need to make sure that we don't miss out the necessary items. Here's a suggestive list for you, but you needn't be so strict about it and can always have your own checklist.

Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list asthey are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the tripCamera, memory card and battery charger

GPS unit Altimeters
Binoculars Books and magazines

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for most of the trips. We operate group as well as individual/private trips. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference. We will endeavor our best to ensure that your trip is scheduled for the set date.

Trip Facts

Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request)

Trip Type: Private Tour

Trip Grade: Moderate

Transportation: Flight/Private car

Highest Elevation: Phephe La Pass ( 3353m)

Lowest Elevation: Punakha (1310m)

Average Trekking Hours: 7 Hours

Average Driving Hours: 4 Hours

Trip Commences From: Kathmandu (1400m)

Trip Terminates At: Kathmandu (1400m)

Best Months: Jan-May & Sep-Dec

Trip Highlights

Interesting and informative tour around Kathmandu with an experienced city guide, visiting the most renowned historical and cultural landmarks herein

Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Paro unfolding the magnificence of the world’s highest peaks and the lush green Paro valley

Hike up to the famous Tiger Nest/Takstang Monastery and get well versed to some interesting anecdotes of Rinpoche, the spiritual master